Microsoft MPEG-4 Codec Media File Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Risk

High

Date Discovered

September 14, 2010

Description

Microsoft MPEG-4 codec is prone to a remote code-execution vulnerability.
An attacker can exploit this issue by enticing an unsuspecting user to open a malicious file or view a web page containing a malicious file. A successful exploit will result in the execution of arbitrary attacker-supplied code in the context of the currently logged-in user.

Technologies Affected

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition SP1

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition SP1

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition SP1

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition SP2

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition SP1

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition SP2

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition SP2

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition SP2

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems SP2

Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise

Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1

Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP2

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP2

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP2

Microsoft Windows Vista SP1

Microsoft Windows Vista SP2

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP2

Microsoft Windows XP Home

Microsoft Windows XP Home SP1

Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2

Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP1

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP3

Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3

Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP1

Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2

Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP3

Recommendations

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.

To reduce the impact of latent vulnerabilities, always run nonadministrative software as an unprivileged user with minimal access rights.

Deploy NIDS to monitor network traffic for signs of anomalous or suspicious activity. This includes but is not limited to requests that include NOP sleds and unexplained incoming and outgoing traffic. This may indicate exploit attempts or activity that results from a successful exploit.

Do not accept or execute files from untrusted or unknown sources.

To reduce the likelihood of successful attacks, never handle or open files from unknown sources.

Do not follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.

To reduce the likelihood of successful exploits, never visit sites of questionable integrity or follow links provided by unfamiliar or untrusted sources.

Implement multiple redundant layers of security.

Various memory-protection schemes (such as nonexecutable and randomly mapped memory segments) may hinder an attacker's ability to exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. Host-based intrusion-prevention systems may also help prevent exploits.

Vendor updates are available. Please see the references for more information.

Disclaimer
The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.

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